When we are thinking about building storage shelving the main reason we're doing this is to take advantage of space that you normally wouldn't use.
Obviously you want to make a solid stable place where you can store all your stuff.
Depending on where you want to have the shelves you can decide whether you are going with expensive wood or just simply rough paint grade or even less "construction" grade woods or plywoods.
Wood is probably the easiest way to make shelves.
There are many different types of wood but not all are suited for shelving.
Using solid woods that come out of planks is a very expensive solution not to mention that it might not be as strong.
Also these types of woods have a tendency to warp.
Plywood is your best bet, you can get plywood in different grades and varieties, also you can get plywood to look like finished lumber.
Plywood is reasonably cheap to buy.
It's made up of thin layers of wood running in different directions all together.
Every layer is glued perpendicular to the one above and below it and this is what gives the plywood its exceptional strength.
When going to Home Depot for example you are presented with a multitude of choices in grades in the plywood.
The main different grades of plywood are: A- grade which is the best quality virtually blemish free and looks smooth with no marks this plywood can be used to replace solid woods making it look like it was made out of solid lumber.
This plywood can also be stained as well as being painted,and treated the same way as if it were solid wood.
B- grade are one step down with the odd blemish but however it also can be made to look good with the odd surface preparations such as a tiny bit of plastering or knot sealing.
This plywood is excellent if you are looking to just paint it.
C- grade is starting to look like rough plywood but it is still as strong as it should be but it comes with knotholes and minor defects and feels rougher to the touch.
Particle board is another choice, it's durable, looks good and very cheap.
It's basically made out of wood chips, sawdust and resin which makes it solid and strong and hard.
Particle boards can be painted as well but preferably primed with an oil-based primer 1st to seal the glue.
This is important because moisture can have a greater effect on this product so it should be sealed off from any moisture.
The only problem with the particleboard is that it is heavy, it's a lot heavier than plywood but it's a good alternative.
It costs less and is very strong.
Obviously you want to make a solid stable place where you can store all your stuff.
Depending on where you want to have the shelves you can decide whether you are going with expensive wood or just simply rough paint grade or even less "construction" grade woods or plywoods.
Wood is probably the easiest way to make shelves.
There are many different types of wood but not all are suited for shelving.
Using solid woods that come out of planks is a very expensive solution not to mention that it might not be as strong.
Also these types of woods have a tendency to warp.
Plywood is your best bet, you can get plywood in different grades and varieties, also you can get plywood to look like finished lumber.
Plywood is reasonably cheap to buy.
It's made up of thin layers of wood running in different directions all together.
Every layer is glued perpendicular to the one above and below it and this is what gives the plywood its exceptional strength.
When going to Home Depot for example you are presented with a multitude of choices in grades in the plywood.
The main different grades of plywood are: A- grade which is the best quality virtually blemish free and looks smooth with no marks this plywood can be used to replace solid woods making it look like it was made out of solid lumber.
This plywood can also be stained as well as being painted,and treated the same way as if it were solid wood.
B- grade are one step down with the odd blemish but however it also can be made to look good with the odd surface preparations such as a tiny bit of plastering or knot sealing.
This plywood is excellent if you are looking to just paint it.
C- grade is starting to look like rough plywood but it is still as strong as it should be but it comes with knotholes and minor defects and feels rougher to the touch.
Particle board is another choice, it's durable, looks good and very cheap.
It's basically made out of wood chips, sawdust and resin which makes it solid and strong and hard.
Particle boards can be painted as well but preferably primed with an oil-based primer 1st to seal the glue.
This is important because moisture can have a greater effect on this product so it should be sealed off from any moisture.
The only problem with the particleboard is that it is heavy, it's a lot heavier than plywood but it's a good alternative.
It costs less and is very strong.
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